We Answer Wednesday - Finding my Decorating Style

"I really want to decorate my condo and have it look amazing.  But where do I start? Do I look at what's trending? Or copy what I see in magazines? I really need help and have no idea where to start!"

Decorating your home is so much fun but it can be stressful for some - we don't want you to have a negative experience, after all this is your home, your space, your sanctuary !

 

Magazines are a great start.  Here's what we recommend: start leafing through magazines (start in a bookstore, we love Chapters, they always have a large and varied selection) - (you can also look online - try Houzz or Pinterest.) So start looking through your magazines and keep a file (yes, rip out those pages!) and take some notes on what you love about the page - post-it's are easy and perfect for this!  Collect a number of images and once you have a decent amount (10-20)- stop and review.  Look at the images, look at your notes...do you see a pattern? You probably will notice a common theme - like colour, pattern, texture, style....or perhaps something more specific like wallpaper or bold and graphic art.  This exercise is a great way to start and get a better idea of your taste and style.  Don't use words like "I'm modern or I'm traditional", images will give you a much better idea of what you are all about!



Another great tip for decorating, is to ask yourself "how to I want this room to feel?" Do you want a sexy or romantic bedroom? Do you want a vibrant and exciting living room?

 

Use your interests as decor influences. Maybe you love to travel and you want your space to remind you of your travels - "I want a room that reminds me of Italy, France, Morocco....etc....." did you collect art or other artifacts on your adventures? Use those items in your decorating.  They will give the space a sense of who you are and what your story is.





Trends are great to read about but if you don't love what's '#trending' don't do it! Your space needs to reflect your story - not what someone tells the masses is cool.

Don't be afraid! If you love something you will find a spot for it.  Don't be afraid to mix patterns and colours and brands/price points, an expensive sofa paired with a re purposed/recycled thrift store find like a bench or end tables - is what personal style is all about! 

 

Style Guide: Finding your style

Many of our clients want to know - what's hot in home decor?  How are other people decorating their homes?  What's in style?  And there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking those questions but your home should really reflect your style (and lifestyle needs) and that way you will be comfortable in your space and still look good!

Whether you're decorating a single room or a whole house, a cottage or a castle,the sky's the limit and there's really no reason for anyone to be stuck with a home decorating scheme that doesn't capture their own unique style and interests.

 If you haven't yet identified your particular style or if you're uncertain about how to proceed, remember you do not have to fit completely into one style.  Nowadays, we are seeing 'hybrid styles' where people are mixing up 2 or 3 different styles.  I like to recommend the 80/20 rule.  About 80 percent of your space should be in one style and the remaining 20 can be a few or just one other style.  This will give your space a polished designer look while still incorporating your different tastes.

Some ways to update a traditional style - update a traditional chair or ottoman with some bolder fabrics (pattern and/or colour) can totally transform a piece and make it look new and fresh. 

 

Wallpaper accent walls, instead of wallpapering an entire room try one impact wall and add a bold piece of art.  Or try funky wallpaper in a small space like a den or powder room - those little rooms can be bold, too!



Switch up traditional art hangings by grouping them or even switching out the mattes and frames



Take a traditional dining table and add some more modern chairs - this cost effective idea really updates the space and also allows the table to be the star piece in the room


 
A solid glass coffee table is another great way to update a living room.  it gives you surface space without the bulk and you can really show of some unique table top decor pieces and yes, you can pair them with more traditional end tables.

 

Try updating your lighting!  That is a huge transformation - overhead lights, table and floor lamps...there is so much selection out there

What's trending in home decor?

Trends come and go in any 'fashion' related industry.  We see it in shoes, clothing, make up and hair and of course, we see trends in home decor. 

The big colour in 2013 is Monaco blue but we will also be seeing lots of other colours too.

So what else is happening in home decor and design???

Well, we will be seeing what I like to call 'found design' - it's when you see an eclectic mix of furniture, accessories, art and it all just comes together

In this photo for example, you see the different occasional chairs - one with a pattern and one without.  you see a mix of wall hangings ranging from antlers to stainless photo frames.  The coffee table looks like it was purchased at a vintage furniture shop.  The pops of orange and green are fun and fresh and it totally works!!

We are seeing more and more of this look and I think it is due to what is happening economically.  People are being a lot smarter about how they are sending their money.  They want a home with style but they want to have a home with character too (plus a little more money in the bank). 

So you will see more and more people decorating with this in mind.  It doesn't mean that they won't be shopping but thrift shops, antique store and vintage shops will be busier than before. 

Also this 'found design' concept isn't so much a look but a way to find personal style.  If you like a modern cabin look or a mod contemporary look you can have that!

This way of decorating takes time and it's a process - you won't find everything all in one day and when you do go shopping at vintage stores be sure you snatch up what you love - it won't last long! 

Handcrafted chic

I love celebrating the talents of others!  My mother-in-law (who knits, quilts and crochets so well) recently taught me how to knit and I have really being enjoying this creative outlet and I also find it is a great way to reduce stress.  I'm still a novice but I'm having a lot of fun! 

I love this website www.etsy.com they truly celebrate the art of handcrafts. 

If you are looking for beautiful baby gifts or bedding, you will find some fabulous and very special options.


Like customized blankets and bedding.  To wall decals, to wall art and more...

You can find other great items for other rooms in the home, like stunning throw pillows and other fun decor items for the home

Each and every item is so unique and can add that touch of personality and personal style to your space. 

Mix and Match style in the Dining room

So if you look at any model home or any magazine you have probably seen the designer look of a mix-match dining table.  It's a carefully selected set of chairs (sometimes with different end chairs) and a table that doesn't (eeek) match!  It's a way to add dimension and personal style into your dining space.  Every dining area has more or less the same basic furniture - chairs, table and perhaps a sideboard for storage.  It can be tricky to get creative and add personality....or so you think.

The look of the matchy matchy catalogue purchased dining set is over.  Designers are mixing and matching table and creating  'sets' of their own. 

This can be tricky - you really need to have some basics of scale and proportion to properly pull this off.

Need a little help?

Try mixing dining furniture piece from the same design era.

Here's an example:

Here you have a classic 60's tulip table in clean and classic white by adding the wishbone chairs (also from the 60's) in a Walnut you are working within the same design time period but adding personal style by mixing the finishes (white and walnut)

Now this example shows how you can mix styles.

In this image, we have a rustic Harvest table and the sideboard matches that farmhouse look but by adding some modern plastic colourful chairs you really change up the look and have a blend I like to call 'urban farmhouse'
Also take note of the importance of the look of the lighting in both images - the lighting is simple and contemporary that keeps the room looking current and on trend as well.

Some other chairs that I love to mix with a Harvest table are: the navy chair it comes in a classic chrome but lots of other fun colours too, the Ferrer is another industrial looking chair in steel and it really compliments the rustic wood of a Harvest table, less of a contrast but adds softness to the rustic feel of the Harvest table is the Monac - All great options it just depends on what you like.

Some chairs that I like to mix with the Tulip table (which by the way is great in a condo or any small dining space) The Bertoia adds some shine with the stainless steel but compliments the simplicity of the table, the Jacobsen is another great option because it too is very simple in shape (plus very affordable) I would go with a contrasting finish like black, grey or a wood finish, the Melody add some interest too but the shapes of the chairs and table compliment each other nicely again look for a contrasting finish like black.

How to avoid a cookie cutter room

All to often when you move into a place or you want to re-decorate a room, we take the easy route by heading to a great furniture store and buying what we see and copy the showroom floor. If you want a truly personalized space you really need to be selective of the various items you put in your room - what do I mean ?

There are tons of great finds out there. At furniture shops, specialty stores, antique shops, vintage stores, craft fairs etc...you just need to take the time to look. You want to look for quality, of course but you also want to look for a common thread. A unique and stylish space will include texture, shine, pattern and colour but it can also include a mix of styles. Mixing different styles or time periods does not necessarily mean you will have an eclectic room but you will have a room of designer quality.

For example, if you found a fantastic art deco desk in black and you found some end tables that look kind of country it could work if there is a common thread - such as colour, if the end tables had a black detail the items now have a common thread. The other trick is not to place them right beside each other in the room (psst...that way no one will notices the differences between the pieces that way). The other trick is to find a desk chair that's sleek or kind of funky.

Personal style is all about you. What you love, what you like and bringing it all together. You will always find a spot for something you absolutely love! Personal style also reflects your personality - are you fun and splashy? are you calm and serene? It does take time to build a room that reflects your personal style but it's worth it because you will be thrilled with the end results and you will feel so comfortable. Yes, just picking up a showroom display and bringing it home is easy but in the end your home will feel like a waiting room and less like the room you want.Spend the time - it's worth it!